What Should I Do If There Is a Warrant For My Arrest?

One possible consequence of breaking a law in Texas is to have a warrant placed for your arrest. You are luckily able to search if there is a warrant for your arrest online through your county’s warrant search website or through your local police department. Once you know that there is an outstanding warrant for your arrest, you should know how to respond and what actions you should take next.

What Is An Arrest Warrant?

An arrest warrant is an official written document signed by a judge or magistrate that permits a police officer to arrest someone that they reasonably believe has committed a certain crime. The document will contain all of the details of the crime, and it can also restrict the way in which an arrest is made after it is issued. Common reasons for an arrest warrant include:

Misdemeanors
Felonies
Absent court dates
Outstanding traffic tickets

There’s a Warrant Out For My Arrest, Now What?

As soon as you discover that there is a warrant out for your arrest, the first important step is to take action immediately and to not ignore it or hope it disappears on its own. If you do not take any legal action, with assistance from your criminal defense attorney, then you could be arrested at your home, at your job or at a traffic stop. Some ways to dismiss the warrant include:

Pay the fine. Sometimes, the simplest way to clear an active arrest warrant is to pay an outstanding fee or fine that the court is asking you to pay. Arrange the payment and come to court to pay the fine.
Hire an attorney. You can call the court clerk on your own to determine the reason there is a warrant for your arrest, but any steps further should be accompanied by a criminal defense attorney. Your attorney can help you understand your legal rights, and he or she will assist you in getting rid of the warrant without you getting jail time.

Contact the Goolsby Law Firm today if you have been issued a warrant for your arrest in Texas. We can possibly help you determine the easiest and quickest way to get rid of your warrant in your specific situation.

Mike Goolsby

A veteran in both civil court cases and criminal defense, Mike Goolsby is a respected lawyer with more than 16 years of experience practicing law. He received his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of North Texas in 1990, followed by his J.D. from the prestigious Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 1994. After earning his law degree, Mr. Goolsby worked as an Assistant District Attorney for the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office. As a trial lawyer, he was able to gain exceptional access to the criminal court system in this major metropolitan area, giving him immeasurable, distinct experience that helped him build a solid foundation for his own private legal practice. Mr. Goolsby went on to practice civil law for Maverick Acceptance Group, a venture capital company. Here, he gained invaluable knowledge of the civil side of the law, adding to his already diverse portfolio of legal expertise. In 1999, he opened the doors of The Goolsby Law Firm and has been successfully serving the residents of North Texas ever since. As an attorney, Mr. Goolsby combines his experience in both the civil and criminal fields to offer unmatched legal representation to his clients. With a long list of satisfied clients, Mr. Goolsby continues to build his practice through fair and aggressive legal defense.